If asked what kind of team you are building, most of us would describe how we want to create an empowered team. But what are you actively doing to nurture that kind of team. Consider this, if this Friday was your last day in the office for the next 6 months, what would you prepare, …
Leadership
Reflecting On Our Past
Venerating the past can cause us to ignore the painful mistakes and prevent us from reevaluating the wisdom of past decisions. Demonizing the past can cause us to ignore the positive steps made and prevent us from understanding the wisdom of past decisions. As a leader, we must work to celebrate the good from our …
Pick it up!
“Don’t just walk by that trash, pick it up!” As a kid, my dad would yell at me for walking past a piece of trash on the ground in the yard or the house. I’d argue that it wasn’t my trash, but he didn’t care. He wasn’t being mean, he was teaching me to take …
The Illusion of Control
We create detailed plans with dates and dependencies mapped out. We plan for risks and pad our estimates for the unknown. And each time we fail to accurately predict the future. We can’t help ourselves though. We’re so consumed with the illusion of control. We’ve convinced ourselves if we just go into more detail, get …
Are you ready?
A few weeks ago I came across this video about some “preppers” At first, they might seem over the top in their preparations. But what if their fears come true? Then we wouldn’t look at them as being crazy, but prepared. What if rather than what you feared coming true, what if what you hoped …
Investing in Leadership?
How are you investing in your leadership this week? John Maxwell puts it this way: Becoming a leader is a lot like investing successfully in the stock market. If your hope is to make a fortune in a day, you’re not going to be successful. There are no successful “day traders” in leadership development. What …
Will you take responsibility?
I have sometimes complained about a micromanaging boss, but am I ready to accept the repercussions that come from being given the autonomy to lead and potentially fail? Thomas Ricks’ book The Generals examines this issue from the perspective of how leadership in the Army has changed since World War II. He outlines how George …
Has your leadership changed?
In a recent BBC article, they outlined how certain leadership strengths don’t translate in a remote work environment, and how new leadership styles or strengths stand out when working remote. “In face-to-face interactions, most of us are very easily swayed by the power of personality,” says Purvanova. “Virtually, we are less swayed by someone’s personality …
Am I listening?
In a time of unrest, where each side has an opinion to share, it can be easy to forget the power of listening. Listening allows us to get a new perspective. Listening allows us to genuinely care for others. Listening allows us to be changed. Listening gives a voice to the unheard. Listening makes us …
A Failure To Manage?
A building that isn’t maintained, that’s allowed to deteriorate, will eventually fall apart. It can be a gradual process that we can ignore at first, but eventually, something catastrophic occurs. Maybe the roof collapses after years of neglect, or a wall gives in due to a small crack left unattended. But the result of failing …